Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Islington: Gardens, Sunday Lunch and Exmouth Market

This round-up duplicates our live listing page for the same search — for current venues and policy status see dog-friendly restaurants in Islington.

Islington is a good place to eat out with a dog. Some places here have a garden and let dogs inside too. Some do a Sunday lunch worth walking to. A cluster around Exmouth Market makes an easy evening in Clerkenwell. Here are ten we like, grouped by the kind of outing you have in mind. For the full picture, see every dog-friendly restaurant in Islington.

Inside or out, whatever the weather

The Hemingford Arms

You'll spot it on Hemingford Road in Barnsbury by the colourful flowers on the front. Dogs are welcome indoors and there's an enclosed garden, so you can choose on the day. The kitchen is traditional Thai (pad thai, hot and sour soups), the bar pours Guinness, and there's live music and sport on the screens. Upstairs is a function room with its own bar and an ivy-laced private balcony, holding up to 35 seated or 50 standing, if you're planning a get-together.

The Scolt Head

This pub on Culford Road in De Beauvoir Town has always had a dog. Monkey, the old pub dog, has sadly died, and a new little friend called Lexi has taken over. Dogs are welcome inside and in the enclosed garden. Siblings Rich Haines and Rosie Wesemann bought the place in late 2006 and named it after a small island off the North Norfolk coast. It calls itself "a pub first and foremost" that serves excellent food, with swing, jazz, sport and a quiz on offer. The darts board in the back room is free to use whenever the room isn't booked, and there's wifi if you and the dog fancy a working day somewhere other than the kitchen table.

Sunday lunch with the dog

The Baring

A restaurant on Baring Street in De Beauvoir Town with an à la carte menu and its own Sunday menu. Diners rate it 4.8, which puts it level at the top of this guide. If there's a crowd of you, the private dining room takes group bookings.

The Wilmington

A 19th-century pub at 69 Rosebery Avenue, opposite Exmouth Market, that has kept its period features. The kitchen does brunch, lunch and dinner from seasonal menus built on British ingredients, with steaks, classic Sunday roasts and changing specials. A roast with the dog asleep under the table is hard to beat. There's also a function room for hire.

The Crown, Islington

A Fuller's pub on Cloudesley Road, a quiet residential street, and a local favourite for over 100 years. In winter there's a roaring fire, and in summer an outdoor terrace overlooking the quiet streets around it. Food is refined pub classics made with seasonal ingredients, the bar has craft beers alongside cask classics, and CAMRA card holders get 20% off real ale. Upper Street, the Almeida and Islington Assembly Hall are all close by, and Caledonian Park is near enough for a walk first.

An evening around Exmouth Market

The Street Easy

A restaurant and cocktail bar at 55-57 Exmouth Market, with dishes inspired by Caribbean, South American and South East Asian street food: buns, wings, sides and small plates. Fresh juices, shakes, coffee, cocktails, beer and wine are on all day, and the room is spacious enough for a quick bite, a boozy brunch or an afternoon on the laptop.

The Gunmakers

A short walk from the market on Eyre Street Hill, this cocktail pub and taqueria says it has been a home of independent rebel spirit since 1920. The tacos are made to order in its own kitchen. For dog owners the big draw is outside: an enclosed garden, outdoor seating and heating lamps. Paloma's Garden, named after the palm tree that grows there, is covered and heated, seats up to 35 and can be hired. You can book a table, an area or the whole pub, or just turn up.

Ruby Stella Hotel London

Ruby Stella is next door to The Gunmakers, down a narrow lane at 15-28 Eyre Street Hill. It's named after Charles Dickens, and its 24-hour bar is themed around publishing, with vintage books and print-room touches, signature Negronis and regular live gigs. There's a ground-floor terrace. If you'd like to stay over, dogs are welcome in the rooms for a charge, and every room is soundproofed, with pocket-spring mattresses and rainfall showers.

Match day, and a day out

The Peacock - Angel

A traditional pub at the top of Islington High Street in Angel that shows a range of sports fixtures. You can book ahead for the big matches. If your dog finds crowds a lot, a quieter weekday visit may suit them better than a packed fixture.

Coal Drops Yard

Over 45 shops and places to eat in redeveloped Victorian industrial buildings, a few minutes from King's Cross and St Pancras. It's handy if you and the dog are coming in by train: have a wander round, then sit down to eat.

The dog's day

Walk first. A dog that's had a proper run is far more likely to settle under the table while you eat. Bring water for the journey and a small mat or chew so they have a spot of their own.

Pick your moment if your dog is nervous. Gig nights at The Hemingford Arms and big fixtures at The Peacock will be loud, so the garden or a quieter afternoon may suit them better. In colder months, the heated garden at The Gunmakers keeps everyone comfortable outside, and at The Crown keep your dog a sensible distance from the fire.

On Exmouth Market and in any busy room, keep the lead short so your dog stays out of the way of trays and feet.